On applicability of additive technology at agricultural engineering enterprises

INTRODUCTION: This article discusses the experience of using additive technologies at agricultural engineering enterprises for the manufacture of new types of equipment. A comparative analysis of the strength properties of materials used for 3D printing is presented. The calculation of the economic efficiency of the use of additive technology is also given.

BACKGROUND: Currently, additive technologies are being actively introduced into production, and in particular in the manufacture of parts at agricultural engineering enterprises. In this regard, the current research topic is the use of 3D printing to create parts.

AIMS: Introduction of new methods for creating parts and their prototypes, with the aim of import substitution of parts and improvement of own production at agricultural engineering enterprises.

METHODS: In the course of the study, an analysis of the materials was carried out. At the same time, it was noted that ABC plastic is well machined and has the highest bending strength. Flex plastic has high elastic properties. PLA plastic is more tear resistant than ABC plastic, but it is more rigid, which limits its use in connectors. As a result, ABC plastic was chosen for further work on the use of additive technology. The manufactured working samples of parts were installed on a seeder and experimental crops were carried out.

RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the positive aspects of the application of this technology were noted. The characteristics of 3D printing methods are given. An analysis was also made of the materials from which the parts can be made. The strength properties of plastics are presented and a comparative characteristic is given with materials used in traditional technologies for manufacturing parts. In order to introduce additive technology for the manufacture of parts for one of the enterprises in Omsk, samples were made. Details were made according to the drawings of the enterprise: a sleeve connecting the seed tube and the coulter in the seeders. To do this, 3D models were created in the КОМПАС-3D program and, using a 3d printer, the elements of the sowing machine were printed: a plug, small-seed and large-seed coils. These parts were installed on the СС-11 seeder.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of additive technology in agricultural enterprises may be due to the following factors: the part is unloaded or lightly loaded, there is a sufficient supply of time before the product is delivered to the customer, the resulting prototype meets all technical requirements, the prototype has passed strength tests. As a result of the experiments, it was found that the deviation of the seeding rate of the manufactured coil using 3D printing from the original one does not exceed the allowable limits of ± 5% and amounted to 10-20 gr. The conducted experiments and economic justification show that additive technology can be used to manufacture prototype parts.